Kohima, Oct 26: Nagaland Tourism Minister Temjen Imna Along has extended a heartfelt invitation to the people of Eastern Nagaland to actively partake in the forthcoming Hornbill Festival.
It’s worth noting that due to the unmet expectations regarding frontier Nagaland’s demands, seven tribes from the eastern region had initially chosen to abstain from the Hornbill Festival.
In a message, Minister Along emphasized, “I am a Naga just like all other Nagas in the Eastern part of our state. I appeal to the Eastern Naga People’s Organization (ENPO) and our fellow Eastern community, emphasizing that the Hornbill Festival symbolizes the unity of Nagas in Nagaland. It is both our responsibility and an opportunity to display our rich cultural traditions and heritage as the people of Eastern Nagaland.”
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On June 26, 2023, the Government of India presented a comprehensive proposal for an agreement with the Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation (ENPO), raising optimism for a breakthrough in addressing their prolonged quest for greater autonomy.
This proposal seeks to address the concerns of the ENPO, which has been advocating for maximum autonomy in the six eastern districts of Nagaland.
The proposed agreement envisions the establishment of an autonomous territorial council entrusted with regional governance. The council is structured with a total of 49 constituencies: 40 members elected by the people and 9 members nominated to ensure diverse representation.
A significant meeting took place on June 24 in Dimapur, where Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation members, the Eastern Nagaland Legislator’s Union, apex tribal bodies, and representatives from talk teams and various organizations were briefed on the agreement’s details.
A crucial consultative meeting is scheduled for June 30 in Kohima, bringing together key stakeholders to deliberate on the proposed agreement’s finer points. If implemented, the ENPO agreement could mark a pivotal milestone in addressing the aspirations of those residing in the eastern regions.
This proposed autonomy extends beyond legislative powers, encompassing executive and financial self-governance. The initiative aims to empower the eastern districts to make independent decisions and manage their resources more effectively. Such autonomy would signify a substantial stride towards realizing the longstanding dream of a ‘Frontier Naga territory.’
